News

Special Olympics Would Like Your Help in 2010

Submitted by Rich Brown

01/21/10

Members of the CSC having been supporting the Special Olympics for 26 years as volunteers. We are Ski Partners and Course Workers for the 300+ Athletes each season. It's a great experience for our Ski Club Members. Once you have done it you will look forward to it every year!

Many of these Athletes have never been on skis before, to teach them in three sessions to negotiate a slalom course and see them win a medal - well you can't imagine what a great feeling that is for the Athlete and everyone involved.

2010 Special Olympics at Perfect North Slopes – Lawrenceburg, IN

January 6 (Wednesday) One day Hamilton County Ski Training. 10am-2pm - need many Ski Partners

January 14 (Thursday) KY Area 7 ski day and events 10am - 5pm Rain out date January 21 - need many Ski Partners

January 24 Sunday 2pm - 7pm Ky State Winter Games Free ski and Opening Ceremonies - need a few Ski Partners

January 25 Monday 9am-5pm Ky State Winter Games Events and Volunteer party 5pm - need Ski Partners and Course workers

January 26 Tuesday 9am-5pm Ky State Winter Games Events - need Ski Partners and Course workers

Rain out day is a confusing term as the events will usually happen even if it rains a little. What will postpone the Wednesday/Thursday events a week to their "rain out day" is ice or snow on the roadways (school busses won't run) or a dismal rainy forecast. The KY State games do not have a rain out day but will go on in the rain as long as the roads are clear.

To sign you up, I need full address and phone numbers, expert or intermediate skier, can you work the rain date if needed, do you have previous experience as a ski partner.

For January 25 and 26 we also need people as course officials (not on skis).

Also - these are all skiing events so we can't use snowboarders as ski partners.

Just email or call Rich Brown what days you can help out, and he will do the paperwork to sign you up. For the Sunday event they only budget 15 ski partners as not many groups ski that day but if you have a lift ticket pass or will buy your own we will add you to the list as it's always better to have a 1 on 1 ski partner ratio. Also the Ski club does a synchronized skiing run for Sunday opening ceremonies at about 6:15 which you could join in. If the roads are snowy or icy, events will likely be postponed or cancelled. Otherwise it's a go (even if raining) - dress appropriately.

We are always short of help on the weekdays. Ski Partners must be at least 16 years old and should be intermediate or better skiers able to give encouragement and direction to the Athletes. There has never been a better reason to take a few days off work to go skiing! All events are at Perfect North Slopes - East Lodge.

You can sign up as late as 36 hours prior to the event through me - we are always short handed on the weekdays so do what you can to get a day or two off work. Please try not to do it at the last minute.

Thanks in advance for your time to help all these great Athletes!

To sign up contact Rich Brown at 513-886-2062 or wforich@aol.com and tell him the days you can help.